Despite being in the last days of spring and already anticipating summer, the day was cloudy, with the sun illuminating dimly with pale, faint light. Of course, there were more than a few who would assure us that such an atmosphere was the most appropriate for a place like Nevermore.
The graduation ceremony would begin at any moment. In the outdoor courtyards between the academy and the river, seating had been arranged for the students and their families and space for the stage from which the presentation of graduation diplomas would take place after the principal's and valedictorian's speech.
Bianca Barclay held that honor by just one point. And she was convinced that the other candidate, Wednesday Addams (who had managed to be an academic prodigy despite all her escapades), had self-sabotaged herself under the pretext of not having to submit to the social norm of making a public speech.
Or perhaps Enid had convinced her in fear of the trauma her words might cause the audience. Yes, that was certainly the case.
The young woman watched as the place gradually filled up with all her classmates and their families. Kent and Divina were engaged in a lively chat with their parents and the Petropolus family. Ajax's mother and his seven sisters, all gorgons, had traveled to celebrate the young man's graduation. He seemed embarrassed by whatever the adults were talking about.
"Nervous?" asked a voice behind her. Bianca turned, raising an eyebrow as if to say, "Who, me?"
Xavier Thorpe merely smiled knowing full well it was the truth that she was nervous, as much as Bianca maintained her composure as Queen Bee of the academy...a reign that was already reaching its twilight.
"Shouldn't you be asking yourself that question, Xavier?" she retorted mockingly but without the cutting ability she could lend to her words.
The relationship between the two had seen many ups and downs. From golden couple to bitter exes to confidants to good friends. The quarrels and insecurities between the two of them had been left behind in the last two years. Oh, they were still verbal time bombs when they were together, constantly teasing each other. Enid had described them as "almost siblings" on one occasion, which sent both of their indignation levels skyrocketing hilariously.
Xavier just shook his head slightly in negation at Bianca's question, "Nah. I'm not the one who has to give a farewell speech after the principal. I just had to paint the picture for the stage decoration," he said, pointing to the platform.
Indeed, a large canvas was located a few meters behind the tribune where technicians were making last-minute checks with the microphone and sound system.
The canvas showed a recreation of the Academy, with two figures at the front, one male and one female, armed with swords and scrolls. Symbolic representations of Knowledge and Wisdom. Xavier thought it was somewhat pretentious, but the work was merely a commission from the faculty, who had dictated the subject matter, and he was also not about to protest against the Academy that had allowed him to make use of a private shed for his art for years.
Although as a small act of rebellion he had painted the sky on the canvas with a deep, almost blood-red color.
"Where are they going to put it in the end?" asked Bianca.
"I think somewhere in the fencing classroom, it's maybe the walls with the most space right now," said the young painter, "And after all, my best work is going to stay in the Nightshades chamber... Speaking of which, how was the baton passing ceremony?"
"Oh, it went well... nothing complicated."
Only just two nights ago, Bianca and other members of the student Secret Society had finalized the appointments of new members among the younger student body. Seeking to keep in line with the reforms that had been sparked after the Crackstone incident to make the group more than just an elite club again, trials had been held among a variety of candidates, regardless of whether they were members of families with former members.
Although there were some cases that did not require testing at all. Among them, the big surprise is who would be in charge as the new head of command.
If two years ago someone had told Bianca that the new leader of the Nightshades when she left Nevermore was going to be Eugene Ottinger, the siren would have died of laughter. But life throws up a lot of surprises in a relatively short time, and Eugene was the last member of the "Nevermore Saviors" who would remain at the Academy, at least for another year, which would help to settle the new course.
And if anyone tried anything against him... well, for the past three months Lenore Talbot, his lycanthrope girlfriend, had been taking Enid Sinclair as a role model. Eugene was in good hands.
"And your father?" asked Bianca, even though she knew the answer would surely not be pleasant. Indeed, a pained expression passed over Xavier's face for a few moments before he regained his composure.
"A flight delay," the boy replied, "I prefer to believe it's true and that he simply didn't forget until the last moment because he was busy preparing for his new tour, but..."
Bianca gently patted him on the back in reassurance, "Hey, his loss, not yours. You're the one who will have his paintings in museums in a couple of years and be studied in Art History classes in a century or so, for sure. He'll be a footnote in the history of psychics, known only for his Vegas shenanigans."
The smile on Xavier's face was sad, but a smile nonetheless, "Thank you Bianca."
The two lapsed into a comfortable silence as they began to move toward the seating area. Divina and Kent saw them arrive and waved to them. Ajax was still next to the siren twins…
And it was at that moment that Bianca saw Yoko approaching the group at a run, motioning for them to join her.
Bianca and Xavier exchanged a glance.
"What do you think she wants? It won't be long before this starts...," said the artist.
"Something may have happened with the organization of tonight's party," Bianca replied. But it didn't fit. She knew Yoko well and the vampire seemed genuinely nervous. No, this had to be something more serious than a lack of snacks or drinks...
§§§
Lenore was the first to notice Wednesday and Enid's arrival, no doubt because of their scent.
The young lycanthrope was with Eugene and the boy's mothers, chatting in front of the Academy doors leading to the outside area where the graduation ceremony would soon begin.
Although Eugene wasn't graduating until next year, he had opted not to leave the Academy yet right after the end of classes like most students in his grade and below. After all, among the graduates were his two best friends at Nevermore and he didn't plan to miss it. Sue and Janet, his mothers, had not had a problem with it.
Lenore Talbot's presence with the Ottinger family was something more special. Although they had only started dating about two and a half months ago, the two had known each other since Lenore arrived at Nevermore at the beginning of the school year. It may have been a bit quick, but between Eugene and her they had managed to convince first their mothers and then, with their help, Lenore's parents to let the girl spend the first week of break with the Ottingers.
The patriarch of the Talbot pack had his reservations at first, but a talk with Eugene and his mothers seemed to ease his concerns. Sue and Janet Ottinger were trusted parents.
That's why Lenore was there alongside him instead of scampering around the woodlands of Colorado with her cousins.
The young she-wolf patted the boy's shoulder to get his attention. Eugene turned and his face lit up as he saw Wednesday Addams and Enid approaching, with the rest of the Addamses behind them. Oh, and there was also Yoko, who...
"Hey lovebirds! Bye-bye lovebirds!" the vampire greeted, hurrying past them in the direction of the seating area.
"Uh... what...?", Eugene started to ask, only to interrupt himself when he noticed the two other people with the Addamses.
His mothers proceeded to greet Gomez and Morticia effusively. The Ottingers had met the Addamses before and the friendship between their children had extended to a friendship between the parents. As the parents chatted, Eugene and Lenore approached Wednesday, Enid, Thing, Pugsley and the two strangers accompanying them.
"Wednesday, Enid," greeted Lenore, "I know you've been told this a thousand times already, but congratulations on your graduation!"
"Thanks Lenny!", Enid replied effusively, with Thing giving a thumbs up over her shoulder. Eugene couldn't help but look at her quizzically. On the surface she seemed fine, but you don't get out of your old crush on someone without getting to know that someone pretty well, especially if you maintain a good friendship afterwards. Eugene could tell Enid was very tense about something.
"Thank you very much, Talbot," Wednesday replied, stepping slightly to the side, "This is my little brother, Pugsley Addams," she said, then immediately pointing to the other two teenagers accompanying her, "And this are Pandora and Theophrastus Addams. My... cousins."
Eugene and Lenore gave a small gasp at the word cousins. They exchanged a glance between the two.
"Cousins... real cousins?" asked Lenore.
"Or cousins like the ones from the visit a few months ago?" asked Eugene.
"Exactly like the visit a few months ago," said Wednesday.
"Well, not really, just almost... They're not variants of anyone here," added Enid.
"Uh... hello," greeted Pandora, "Er... I guess it'll all be explained in a few moments, but we are..."
An irritating sound of static interrupted Dora and flooded the area as the audio system set up for the ceremony activated. The voice of the principal, Barnabas Barker, echoed through the various speakers located on the outside walls of Nevermore and around the box.
"Welcome everyone! The ceremony will begin shortly with a brief musical interlude from our choir. Please take your seats and enjoy the day."
"What a knack for timing," muttered Theo. He and Wednesday had exactly the same expression on their faces as they looked irritated at one of the speakers.
Wednesday emitted an annoyed "tsch".
"Looks like we'll have to save the explanations for later, but you should know Eugene that Enid and I won't be attending the party tonight."
"Something serious is going on again, isn't it?" the young beekeeper asked, concerned.
A soft growl escaped Enid's throat, startling Lenore, "Quite," the she-wolf said, before shaking her head in embarrassment, "Sorry, I just… I don't feel like wasting time with this ceremony right now..."
Eugene nodded, even if he had no idea what was truly going on. But those two teens were visitors from another dimension, as had been the multiple Wednesdays they had all met three months ago. And it seemed they must have brought serious bad news with them.
At least I haven't opened my mouth to spout some nonsense this time, like they're their children from the future or something, Eugene thought.
Without further words, the group began to make their way to the seating area to join the others. Eugene and Lenore would sit a few rows back with his mothers and next to the Addamses and their two visitors. Gomez and Morticia were obviously aware of the situation. It was clear that they had kept Sue and Janet distracted from the talk going on between their children.
§§§
Unbeknownst to any of them, the creature made its way through the forest.
Satiated after devouring the bear, the being continued to follow a trail as if driven by an obsessive impulse. Soon it crossed the edge of the forest, and Nevermore was within reach. It could hear the music, voices and sounds of hundreds of human and non-human souls. It could smell them all.
But most of all, it could smell her. It could smell the Addams.
The aroma of old books, dark manors and cold crypts with the occasional metallic fragrance of something sharp and the rust of blood.
All Wednesdays had the same scent, no matter what reality they belonged to.
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